Variante Espiritual

[Julie Richards-Stanley]

I hope to do the Variante Espiritual but can't find much info on places to stay on this part of the route. Does anyone have any recommendation on places/prices?

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Julie. I've just moved your post to the subforum on the Variante Espiritual. There is some good information there I think. Take a look here :
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/camino-portugues-variante-espiritual.165/

Bom Caminho ! Laurie.

 

[Camembert]

I hope to do the Variante Espiritual but can't find much info on places to stay on this part of the route. Does anyone have any recommendation on places/prices?

Hi Julie.. Now from this side
The Variante Espiritual starts just 2 or 3 kms north of Pontevedra with a very big sign on the waymarked route to Caldas de Reis.
At the sign Variante Espiritual-you can't miss it -turn to the left over a small bridge and follw the waymarkers.
First bigger place is Combarro. There we slept in a small hostal nearby the waterside.
From there is a nasty hill up to Armenteira where is an albergue.
Nearby the monastery of Armenteira starts a beautifull medieval path alongside a small river, called a ruta de pedras e de auga..
After about 7 kms the path ends but if you keep following the waymarkers you will see after about 2 or 3 kms a hotel, Os Castanhos in a place called Barrantes.
Very nice people and nice rooms.
Ask the lady to call the captain of the boat to ask at what time the boat is sailing -due to the tide of he ocean.
From there it is 15 kms to Vila Nova de Arousa where the boat is which sails you to Pontecessurres, 3 kms away from Padrón.
We had bad luck by then. The boat sailed in the morning so we could not get there in time and had to wait another day but the lady of Os Castanhos gave usxa lift by car so we were in time for the boat.
In Vila Nova de Arousa is a kind of albergue in a sportshall we heard from other pilgrims.
In Combarro we paid 30€ for a double bed room and in Barrantes moreless the same.
The boat costs you 16€ .see my video

 

[Julie Richards-Stanley]

Hi Julie.. Now from this side
The Variante Espiritual starts just 2 or 3 kms north of Pontevedra with a very big sign on the waymarked route to Caldas de Reis.
At the sign Variante Espiritual-you can't miss it -turn to the left over a small bridge and follw the waymarkers.
First bigger place is Combarro. There we slept in a small hostal nearby the waterside.
From there is a nasty hill up to Armenteira where is an albergue.
Nearby the monastery of Armenteira starts a beautifull medieval path alongside a small river, called a ruta de pedras e de auga..
After about 7 kms the path ends but if you keep following the waymarkers you will see after about 2 or 3 kms a hotel, Os Castanhos in a place called Barrantes.
Very nice people and nice rooms.
Ask the lady to call the captain of the boat to ask at what time the boat is sailing -due to the tide of he ocean.
From there it is 15 kms to Vila Nova de Arousa where the boat is which sails you to Pontecessurres, 3 kms away from Padrón.
We had bad luck by then. The boat sailed in the morning so we could not get there in time and had to wait another day but the lady of Os Castanhos gave usxa lift by car so we were in time for the boat.
In Vila Nova de Arousa is a kind of albergue in a sportshall we heard from other pilgrims.
In Combarro we paid 30€ for a double bed room and in Barrantes moreless the same.
The boat costs you 16€ .see my video

Thankyou very much for your help Albertinho this is a great help

 

[Matt Wright]

I hope to do the Variante Espiritual but can't find much info on places to stay on this part of the route. Does anyone have any recommendation on places/prices?

We kept a detailed blog www.jackiemattadventures.com so feel free to check it out for pictures and information about the Spiritual and Coastal route parts of the Camino Portuguese, which we walked in Mar/Apr 2016.

Armenteira - albergue is about 0.7km out of the main town / cosy, with 2 dorms @ €6 per person...but you'll probably have it to yourself, or a dorm to yourself at worst / 1 restaurant, 1 cafe in town / mass in the monastery at 7:30am was one of the highlights of our trip, hearing the nuns singing.

Villanova de Arousa - one of the strangest albergues you'll come across! The municipal sports centre is in the process of being renovated, so you have to go through the security fencing, past the workmen, up 2 floors, and there it is! Again €6 for 1 big dorm, but very well equipped and Fernando is very helpful indeed (think it opens from 4pm though so don't get there too early).

Padron - well, you're back on the main track by now. The municipal albergue is fine and well-located with good stout wooden bunkbeds (surprisingly comfortable)....but no charging points anyway and limited facilities (2 showers, 1 toilet for the men at least!)